Kristian Mørch before FC Nordsjælland: "We need to create a lot of chances."

Sunday morning brings an unusual challenge for HB Køge Women, as they visit FC Nordsjælland with kickoff already at 11:30. Such an early match time places special demands on preparation. Head coach Kristian Mørch does not hide the fact that it requires small adjustments in the build-up.

“There are some practical things you have to change a bit. I also think it’s a strange time to schedule such a great match, but it is what it is. We also play friendlies and other matches at that time, so the task will be to make sure it doesn’t feel like a friendly—it has to feel like a top match.”

“Top match” is indeed a fitting description of the recent encounters between the two teams. Their clashes have featured both drama and plenty of chances—and all signs suggest Sunday’s game could follow the same pattern.

“These are two teams that play high up the pitch and are also good at creating chances, so hopefully we’ve improved a bit at shutting things down. There’s a lot to suggest that we have. But at the same time, we also need to be able to create the same number of chances as we have been.”

According to Mørch, it is precisely the attacking qualities of both sides that have shaped the matches throughout the season.

“Both teams are strong in chance creation. Nordsjælland have also been good at, once in every game, smashing one in from outside the box, and it would be nice if that went our way this time.”

Sunday’s match also carries an extra dimension, as the two teams will meet again in the cup final in a few weeks. While the focus is naturally on the upcoming game, there may still be lessons to take forward.

“It’s clear that both teams will look at whether the other has done anything special, and what you can take into the next match. So in this game, I don’t expect it to make any difference, but when you play each other so close together—like when we played Brøndby three times in a short period—you learn something each time. And that’s where the coaches, staff, and players all have an important role.”

Kickoff is at 11:30 at Right to Dream Park, and the match can be watched live on TV 2 Play.